Pulp-molding apparatus



1927. Feb 1 F. LoulsoT PULP MOLDING APPARATUS Original Filed Jan. 25.1921 4 Sheets-Sheet l 1 2 Feb 9 7 F. LOUISOT PULP MOLDING APPARATUSOngval Flled Jan 25 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 1,613226 Feb. 1 1927. F.LOUISOT PULP MOLDING APPARATUS Original Filed Jan. 25. 1921 4 Sheet -Shet S 192 Feb 1 7 F. LOUISOT PULP MOLDING APPARATUS Origi a1 Filed Jan 251921 4 Sheets-$heet 4 Patented Feb. 1, 1927.

PATENT OFFICE.

UNITED STATES LOUISOI, 01' NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO VACUUM PULPPRODUCTS COR PORA 'IION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A. CORPORATION OF'PULP-MOLDING APPARATUS.

Application filed January 25, 1921, Serial No. 489,774. Renewed June 24,1926.

This invention relates to the manufacture of dolls heads or otherarticles out of wood pulp or the like.

The objects of the invention are to provide a machine of relativelysimple construction which can be quickly and easily manipulated toproduce the desired results.

Special features relate to the control of the pulp supply, the. controlof the suction for forming the pulp deposit, the control of thecompressed air for removing the excess moisture from the formed productand the method offreeing the product from the mold walls.

same general nature as the machines shown in my copending applicationswhich have matured into Patents Nos. 1,527,200 to 1,527,203, inclusive,all of which issued on February 24, 1925.

In the drawings accompanying and forming a part ofthis specification Ihave illustrated the invention embodied in a practical commercial formbut wish it understood that the structure may be modified in variousways without departure from the true spirit and scope of the inventionas hereinafter defined and claimed.

In these drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of theapparatus, parts appearing in elevation.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the same.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view on a plane at right angles to theplane of Figure 1, said view being taken on substantially the line 3-3of Figure 2. t

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view across the mold chamber as takenon substantially the plane of line 4-4 of Figure 1. Figure 5 is aperspective view of the machine showing the bottom section of the moldlowered to open the mold chamber. The pulp is supplied in the presentdisclosure from a gravity feed reservoir 7 which receives its supplyfrom -a suitable reservoirthrough a conduit 8 under control of a floatvalve 9.

Extending from the chamber 7 is a pulp outlet 10 which forms a pulpsupply condnit opening into the side of the mold chamber at 11, Figure3.

12 designates the mold chamber, said bottom is shown provided withoutstanding perforated lugs 16 sliding over the upright guide rods 17,it being held in its uppermost position, closing the bottom of the moldchamber, by a rod 18, trunnioned at 19 in the lower ends of the guiderods and arranged when swung upward, as in Figures 1 and 3, to engage acam or inclined shoulder 20 on the mold 'bottom. Adjustment for Wear ofthe parts is provided by screw threading the lower end of the moldclosing rod into its trunnion piece 21 and securing it in adjustedposition by lock nut 22.

The mold bottom carries on its upper face a perforated mold forming wall23 conforming in shape to the inner face of the baseportion of themoldedarticle. In this articular instance the'mold is shaped to orm adolls head and this base portion of the mold wall is therefore shaped toform the inner surface of the shoulder portion 25 extending from saidside opening 24 up through the mold wall 23, said member forming ineffect, when the mold is closed, a continuation of the pulp conduit. Toprovide a proper sealing of the mold chamber, a gasket 26 may be carriedby the mold bottom to make sealing engagement with the mouth of the moldchamber.

The other walls of the mold are provided in the present disclosureby'the cooperating perforated side walls 27 and 28 which are shapedtoform the front and back of the mold bottom when the mold is closed, asin Figure 1. These mold, sides are shown as carried by rods 29 slidingthrough stufiing boxes 30 in the walls of the mold chamber, said rodsbeing carried by brackets 31 slid ingly guided at their upper ends on afixed guide rod 32 and operated by screws 33 engaging in appropriatescrew seats provided at 34 in the brackets and carried at the op positcends of a rotary shaft 35 journaled head and fit together over the topof the v .pipe 41.

in suitable bearings on the top of the mold chamber. I Y

To get a nick mold closing and opening operation I ave shown the screwshaft as rovided with a pinion 36 inengagement wit a spurgear 37'journaled on a bearing V bushin 38 on the front of the mold chamber ansurrounding the stuiling boxof the: 'forward mold rod 29, said gearhaving an wash or excess to drainback from the mold and out through adischarge or waste ;Interposed in the pulp conduit in the presentdisclosure is another-3 '-way valve 42 which is operative in the ositionshown in Figure 3 to form part of t e pulp supply conduit and adaptedwhen turned to the vright in this view to shut off connection with thepulp supply and connect the interior of the mold with a compressed airconduit 43.

A branch or by-pass 44 from this compressed air conduit opens into theside of 4 the mold chamber, said by-pass being under a gravit flow maybe depended on to fil control of a suitable valve 45.

In the arrangement shown in Fi ure 1 where the constant level supplytank is on a level or slightly above thelevel of the moldi the mol Thiscould be accomplished by simply opening the pulp supplyvalve andpermitting thepulp 1 to fillthe mold chamber. Usually, however, thecharging of the mold is assisted by applying suction to the chamberenclosing the mold and thus in effect drawing the pulp positively andsomewhat forcibl into the mold. For this purpose I have s iown a suctionconduit 46 connected with the bottom of the mold conhe mold chamberadjacent the window.

taining chamber, and controlled by a suita ble valve 47. Also, in thepresent disclosure thereis provided a suction conduit 48 connected"with. the top of the mold chamber and controlled by valve 49. About thiscon-- trol valve there is provided a by-pass 50 governed by a valve 51.

In order that the operation may be observed I have provided a sightglass or window 52 in one side of the mold chamber and have shown anilluminating device such as an electric lamp 53, let into the side ofThe molded product is se arated from the moldvwalls by a series of airshocks pro- I duced by the operation of a so-called flutter valve 54controlling 'an opening 55 (Figure 3) in the top of the mold-chamberwall will and normally heldto its seat By a spring 56 'bearin againstthe underside of a lever 57 pivote atf58 on top of the moldchamber andtensioned by'a screw 59 hearing on top of the mold chamber;

Operation.

The moldisclosed by elevating the mold bottom and turning the handle 39to bring the mold sides together over the to of the same. The pulp isthen admitte "to the interior of the mold by opening valve 40 valve 49or the bypass valve 51. This latter valve is used where it is desiredtoapply only a small suction force and this is doneparticularly when itis wished to fill the mold chamber gradually and without sudden shock.When the mold is filled and a suflicient initial'deposit of pulp isproduced on the mold walls, the ulp valve 40 is turned (left-handedly inFigure 3) to permit the excess or backwash to flow from inside the moldout the waste pipe 41.

When suction is'employed to assist in the formation of this initialdeposit the'valves 47, 49 and 51 will be controlled according to theeffect. which it is desired to produce. If aheav initial deposit isdesired and the pulp is o a character which will permit of suchtreatment, either the valve 47 or the valve 49, or both, may be c enedto appl the .fullsuction to the outsi e of the'mol This naturallyproduces a quick and sudden filling of the mold. If on the other handcircumstances require that the mold be filled Figure 3 so as to shut oficonnection with the pulp supply and open up this part of the pulpconduit with the compressed air inpipe 43. At this time the valve 47 inthe suction conduit at the bottom of'the mold chamber is preferably openso that the water forced out the valve 42 in a ri ht handed direction inof the pul and through the perforate mold rain into the bottom of themold chamber and be carried off through said-suction conduit. To drainthe moisture from inside the base of the molded product I have shown themold bottom as having a transverse passage 60 from which brances 61 sageopening out through the cylindrical hub portion of the mold bottom andregistering with erforations 62 provided for the purpose in the neck orsocket 13 in the bottom of the mold chamber (Figures 1 and 4).-

This moisture expressing operation may be observed through the window inthe side of the mold chamber and the operation be governed accordingly,the pressure beingmaintained or applied as long or as many times as maybe found necessary to effect .the best results.

The next step in the process is to give to the article the air shock orshocks required to properly free it from the mold walls. This isaccomplished usually by opening valve 45 to admit compressed air intothe chamber surrounding the mold, the flutter valve 0 eratin repeatedlyas the pressure accumu ates su ciently to overcome the tension of thespring 56 to release such ressure and thereby produce a series of lig timpacts on the article within the mold, these impacts serving to freethe pulp wall from the mold without in. any way injuring 1t. The forceof these impacts can be governed by regulating the pressure of the airand-the opposing valve closing spring and by controlling the variousvalves in different ways.

The molded product is finally removed y turning the handle 39 in adirection to open the mold sides and by then lowering the mold bottom asin Figure 5, the molded product during this latter movement beingsupported by the mold bottom, from which it can be lifted and subjectedto further drying or other operations.

What I claim is:

1. In apparatus of the character described, a mold chamber having anopening in the bottom thereof, a mold bottom insertable up through saidopening, laterally movable mold sides arranged within the chamher andcooperating with the mold bottom when the latter is in its elevatedposition to form a complete mold, and means for operating the moldsides.

Q. In apparatus of the character described, a mold chamber having anopening in the bottom thereof, a mold bottom insertable up through saidopening, mold sides'within the chamber and cooperating with the moldbottom in its elevated position to form a complete mold and means foroperating the mold sides, including supporting rods working throughopposite sides of the mold chamber; brackets connected with the outerends of said rods and provided with screw seats and a. rotar shaftcarrying screws in engagement With said screw seats.

3. In apparatus of the character described,

securing the mol through said opening, mold sides within the shaft and agear in mesh withfsaid pinion f and provided with an operating handle.

4. In a paratus of the character described, a mold c amber havin vbottom thereof, amold ottom insertable up an opening. in the throughsaid opening, mold sides within the V chamber andicooperating with themold bottom in itsielevated position to form a complete mold and meansfor operating the mold sides, including supporting rods working throughopposite sides of the mold chamber, brackets connected with the outerends of said rods and provided with screw seats, a

rotary shaft carrying screws in engagement with said screw seats, apinion on said screw shaft and a gear in mesh with said pinion andprovided with an operating handle, said gear being journaled on asupport concentric to one of the mold side supporting rods.

5. In apparatus of the character described, a mold chamber having anopening in the bottom thereof, a mold bottom insertable up through saidopening, mold sides within the chamber and cooperating with the moldbottom in its elevated position to form a completemold, guide rodsdependent from the mold chamber at opposite sides'of the openingtherein, guide lugs on the mold bottom sliding over said uideirods andmeans for bottom in its upraised position.

6. In apparatus of the character described, a mold chamber having anopening in the bottom thereof, a mold bottom insertable up through saidopening, mold sides within the chamber and cooperating 'with the moldbottom in its elevated position to form a complete mold, guide rodsdependent from the mold chamber at opposite sides of the openingtherein, guide lugs on the mold bottom sliding over said guide rods,means for securing the mold bottom in its upraised position, said meansincluding a supporting rod trunnioned at its lower end to the guide rodsand an inclined shoulder on the mold bottom positioned to be engaged bythe upper end of the supporting rod when the same is swung upwardly.

7 In apparatus of the character described, a mold chamber having anopening in the bottom thereof, a mold bottom insertable up through saidopening and mold sides withinihe chamber and cooperating with the moldbottom in its elevated position to form a complete mold, the mold bottomhavpressure to the mold containin ing a ulp supply passa e extendingfrom one si e thereof upwar y into the mold space and the mold chamberhavinga pulp supply conduit to register with said passa e.

g. In a paratus of the character described, a mold c amber havin anopening in the bottom',thereof, a mold ottom insertable up through saidopening and mold sides within the chamber and cooperatin with the moldbottom in .itselevated osition to form a complete mold, the mo] chamberhaving a neck surrounding the opening in the bottom thereof and providedwith a pulp inlet in one side and the mold bottom having a plug portionfitting closely in said neck and provided with a pulp passage open atone side to register with the pulp inlet and extending up through thetop of the mold bottom. 9. In apparatus of the character described, achamber havin an opening in the bottom thereof and a pu p inlet in oneside of said opening, a closure for the openin provided with an upwardly,extending pu p conduit registering at its lower end with said inlet anda perforate mold within the chamber over the upper end of the pulpconduit.

10. In a paratus of the character described, a c iamber having anopening in the bottom thereof and a'pul inlet 1n one side of saidopening, a closure or the-opening provided with an upwardly extending.ulp conduit registering at its lower endwit said inlet, a perforate moldwithin the chamber over the upper end of the ulp'conduit andcontrollable means for app ying suction and chambenf 11. In apparatus ofthe c aracter described, a chamber havin an opening in the bottomthereof and a pu p inlet in one side of said opening, a closure for theopening provided with an upwardlye xtending pulp conduit registering atits lower end with said inlet, a perforate mold within the chamber overthe upper end of the pulp conduit, controllable means for applyingsuction and pressure to the mold containing chamber and a yieldinglyclosed automatically opening pressure re easing valve on the moldcontaining chamber. 1

12. In a machine of the character described, a mold chamber providedwith an opening, an inner mold wall carryin member insertable in saidopening, a mold wall in the chamber cooperating with said member andcontrollable means for applying suction and pressure to the s ace withinthe chamber surrounding the mold. I

13. In a machine of the character described, a mold chamber providedwith 'a window in one side thereof, a perforate mold within said chamberand in view ofsaid window, a pulp supply conduit to the interior of themold and means for controlling pressure within the mold chamber.

14. In a machine of the character described, a mold chamber providedwith a window in one side thereof, a perforate mold within said chamberand in view of said window, avpulp supply conduit to the interior of themold, means for controlling pressure within the mold chamber, a pocketin one side of the mold chamber and an illuminatin source in said pocketand arranged to direct its li ht onto the perforate mold within thechamber.

15. In a machine of the character described, a mold chamber, a two-partperforate mold within the chamber, supporting rods extending throughopposite sides of the mold chamber into engagement with the parts of themold, brackets connected with said rods and provided with screw seats, arotary shaft supported on the mold chamber and having reversely runningscrews engaged with said screw seats and quick operating means forturning said screw shaft. 1

16. In a machine of the character .described, a mold chamber, a springtensioned flutter valve controlling escape of pressure from saidchamber, a perforate mold within the chamber, means forsup lying pulp tothe interior of said mold an controlling pressure in the mold chamberand within and without the mold therein.

17. In a machine of the character described, a mold chamber, aspringtensioned flutter valve controlling escape of pressure from saidchamber, a perforate mold within the chamber, means for supplying pulpmeans for to the interior of said mold, means for controlling pressurein the mold chamber and within and without the mold therein and meansfor regulating the tension of the flutter valve.

18. In a machine of the character desaid valve valve mechanism at thejunction of said pressure connection with the pulp conduit and acontrollable about said last mentioned valve. 19. In a machine of' thecharacter described, a mold chamber, a perforate mold within saidchamber, a pulp supply conduit opening into said mold and provided witha backwash outlet, a 3-way valve at said outlet for controlling flow ofpulp into the by-pass' mold and the release of backwash from the mold, apressure connection with the pulpconduit .at a point between'the moldand said valve, valve mechanism at the junction of said pressureconnection with the 'pulp conduit and a controllable by-pass theperforate mold and a regulatable bypass about the valve mechanism andextending from the ,pressure connection to the mold chamber outside themold.

21. In a machine of the character described, a mold chamber, a hollowperforate mold wall supported therein, means for supplying pulp to theinterior of said hollow mold wall and a drainage passage from theinterior of said hollow perforate mold Wall to the interior of the moldchamber.

22. In a machine of the character described, a mold chamber, a hollowperforate mold wall supported therein, means for supplying pulp to theinterior of said hollow mold wall, a drainage passage from the interiorof said. hollow perforate mold wall to the interior of the mold chamber,a perforate mold wall overstanding and spaced from said first mold walland means for applying suction to the mold. chamber.

23. In a machine of the character described, a mold chamberhaving atubular neck provided with an opening in one side, a removable plugfitting in said neck and provided with a passage to register with saidopening, a hollow perforate mold wall carried by the plug and a drainagepassage extending from .the interior of said hollow mold wall to thefirst passage.

24. In a machine of the character described, a mold chamber having aneck provided with openings in the sides thereof, a plug for closingsaid neck having a transverse passage to register at its opposite endswith the openings aforesaid, said transverse passage having a branch orbranches opening to the end of the plug and a perforate mold wall oversaid branch or branches.

25. In a machine of the character described, a mold chamber having aneck provided with openings in the sides thereof, a plug for closingsaid neck having a transverse assage to register at its opposite endswith t 1e openings aforesaid, said transverse passage having a branch orbranches opening to the end of the plug, a erforate mold wall over saidbranch or branc es and a pulp supply conduit in the plug extendingthrough the hollow perforate mold wall.

26. In a machine of the character described, a mold chamber having aneck provided-with o enings in the sides thereof, a plug for-closingsaid neck having a transverse passage to register at its opposite endswith the openings aforesaid, said transverse passage having a branch orbranches opening to the end of the plug, a perforate mold wall over saidbranch or branches and a pulp supply conduit in the plug extendingthrough the hollow perforate mold wall, said pulp conduit opening to theside of the plug and the neck aforesaid having a pulp inlet to registerwith said side opening.

27. In a machine of the character described, a mold chamber havin a neckprovided with openings in the si es thereof, a plug for closing saidneck having a transverse passage to register at its opposite ends withthe openings'aforesaid, said transverse passage having a branch orbranches opening to the end of the plug, a perforate mold wall over saidbranch or branches, a pulp supply conduit in the plug extending throughthe. hollow perforate mold wall, said pulp conduit opening to the sideof the plug and the neck aforesaid having a pulp inlet to register withsaid side opening and a cooperating perforate mold wall in the moldchamber over said first mentioned mold wall.

28. In a machine of the character described, a mold chamber having apulp inlet leading thereinto, a pulp supply pipe in communication withsaid inlet, a perforated mold within the chamber over the end of thepulp inlet, means for ap lying a pressure within the chamber to t eexterior of the mold therein, and a pressure actuated valve adapted toperiodically *release the pressure within the chamber at predeterminedintervals to free the molded article from the perforated mold.

29. In a machine of the character described, a mold chamber having apulp inlet leading thereinto, a pulp supply pipe in communication withsaid inlet, a perforated mold within the chamber over the end of thepulp inlet, means for applying a pressure within the chamber to theexterior of the mold therein, a pressure actuated .valve adapted toperiodically release the pressure within the chamber at predeterminedintervals to free the molded article from the perforated niold and meansfor tensioning said pressure actuated valve.

In testimony whereof I allix my signature.

FELIX LOUISO'I.

